Led by SHRM Chief Operating Officer China Miner Gorman, the delegation of HR professionals will network with each other and India’s HR practitioners and explore India’s rich history and culture.

“Participating in this delegation provides both educational and cultural experience,” said Gorman. “We will learn firsthand about the HR profession in India: how it is evolving, how it is taught and how it is regulated. What’s more, our cultural adventures will include experiencing some of the most contemporary and historic views of India. We recognize that participation is a significant commitment of our members’ resources in this economic environment. But we are confident, based on previous delegations, that the investment will realize tremendous returns in terms of educational and professional value, as well as personal enrichment,” she said.

“The delegation into India is targeted to senior level HR practitioners, so we are marketing to SHRM members that are at the director level and above,” said SHRM Vice President of International Programs Brian J. Glade, SPHR, GPHR. “Our team in India will identify leading companies that have exemplary HR practices,” he said, adding that delegates will soak up the culture and network with each other as well as with business leaders and HR practitioners in India. They’ll end the tour with a two-day HR thought leadership symposium in Mumbai.

The delegation will first fly to Delhi, then travel to Agra to experience the Taj Mahal as part of their cultural immersion before traveling to Mumbai, according to People to People Citizen Ambassador Programs, which has helped SHRM lead similar trips to China and India since 2005.

During their visit, HR executives will discuss the diversity of India, the status and delivery of human resource management there; learn how HR contributes to economic and social development, and the role of HR services and consulting in India.

The program will wind down with additional professional development opportunities during the Thought Leaders Symposium Dec. 11-12, 2009.

“The purpose of this project is to increase the awareness of contemporary HR challenges and potential solutions in India by studying ‘real’ industry practices in India, as they happen,” Ravindran said. “Another purpose is to provide opportunities to organizations in like situations, to explore applications and build on these suggested solutions,” he said.

“The studies will be presented at the SHRM knowledge symposium, discussed with attending thought leaders and published for the benefit of members and nonmembers following the symposium.”

Ravindran expects more than 150 business and HR leaders from some of India’s biggest and best companies to attend.

“Multiple case studies will be showcased and published for larger audiences. Invitees to the symposium will get an in-depth and ‘live’ look at some of the best HR strategies and practices as they roll out to support business leaders to make a significant impact on their organizations,” he said.

“Each of these live case studies is being developed over a period of four months by a panel of senior management executives and research assistants.”

Ravindran said the symposium is positioned to showcase cutting-edge business HR from India to a global audience that includes the visiting delegation from North America as part of the People to People exchange.

“To make this a learning continuum, the live study will continue to be featured on the SHRM India web site with periodic updates and also be available to be leveraged by concerned organizations for their own business development.”